Split bean cleaning method and apparatus

ABSTRACT

A relatively thick layer of soft, resilient, foamed, elastoplastic material pressed on split beans in a single layer removes goathead weed pods from the beans. In one form, a roller coated with the elasto-plastic, foamed material rolls over a single bean layer for cleaning the same.

Unite States Patent 119.1 1111 3,731,797 Tanner 14 1 May 8, 1 973 [54]SPLIT BEAN CLEANING METHOD AND 1,164,986 12 1915 Brockwel] ..209/78APPARATUS Harold D. Tanner, Cahone, Colo. Assignee: Harold R. Tanner,Cahone, Colo. Filed: May 18, 1972 Appl. No.: 254,453

Inventor:

Knapp ..209/l08 Primary Examiner-Richard A. Schacher Attorney-Richard D.Law

[57] ABSTRACT A relatively thick layer of soft, resilient, foamed,elasto-plastic material pressed OI'll split beans in a single layerremoves goathead weed pods from the beans. In one form, a roller coatedwith the elasto-plastic, foamed material rolls over a single bean layerfor cleaning the same.

12 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures SPLIT BEAN CLEANING METHOD AND APPARATUSBACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION In certain areas in the southwestern part ofthe United States, pinto beans are a substantial crop in the dry landfarming. In many of these areas pre-emergence herbicides are used in anattempt to control weeds, but after emergence of the bean sproutschemical weeding can not be achieved. In such conditions, weeds growconcurrently with the beans. One particular type of weed, called agoathead weed, grows profusely with the beans. The goathead weedproduces a seed pod having two thorns diverging from one end of the podso that it faintly looks like a goathead with horns. The cleaning ofwhole beans is readily accomplished as the goathead pod being slightlysmaller and lighter is fairly easily removed from the whole beans byscreening. However, with split beans, the goathead weed pod issubstantially the same size and substantially the same weight as a splitbean so that it passes I through the screening operations with thesplitbeans and contaminates the beans.

Split beans, also called bean splits, comprise a substantial amount ofthe recovery of the beans from the threshing operation, however, theyare not as readily salable as the whole beans. Bean splits are normallyused for refried beans, and economically they must be recovered for saleto make the bean farming operation a'success. i

The Invention The present invention provides a method and apparatus forremoving goathead weed pods from bean splits essentially by pressing asoft, resilient foamed elastoplastic material onto a single layer ofbean splits so as to pick up the goathead weed pods from the beans. Inone form, an endless belt is provided with a single layer of bean splitsspread on the belt and a roller covered by foamed elastoplastic materialis pressed onto the bean splits to pick up the goathead weed pods.

Included among the objects and advantages of the present invention is amethod of cleaning bean splits by removing goathead weed pods with asoft, elastic, foamed elasto-plastic material.

Another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for removinggoathead weed pods from bean splits.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a method ofcontinuously pressing a soft resilient foamed elasto-plastic materialonto a single layer of bean splits to thereby remove goathead weed podsfrom the layer of bean splits.

Yet another object of the invention is to provide apparatus for cleaningbean splits in which an endless belt is provided with a single layer ofbean splits and a wheel covered by a soft, resilient, foamedelasto-plastic material is pressed onto the bean layer to pick upgoathead weed pods essentially without displacing the beans on the belt.

A still further object of the invention is to provide a continuousmethod of removing goathead weed pods from bean splits by rolling acontinuous band of soft, resilient foamed elasto-plastic material on asingle layer of bean splits moving along a predetermined course undersaid continuous band.

These and other objects and advantages of the invention may be readilyascertained by referring to the following description and appendedillustrations in which:

FIG. 1 is a perspective view of one form of apparatus, according to theinvention, including a rotary weedpod pick-up wheel and a moving beltfor bean splits;

FIG. 2 is a side elevational view, in larger detail, of the device ofFIG. 1; and

FIG. 3 is a side elevational view of a composite machine for cleaningbean splits including three clean mg stations.

In the device illustrated in FIG. 3, a frame shown in general by numeral10 is mounted on floor support frames 12a and 12b for supporting theframe above the ground in working position. Mounted on the frame 10 is ahead pulley 14 at one end and .a tail pulley 16 at the opposite end forsupporting and rotating a belt conveyor 15, described in FIG. 1. The topstretch 15a of the belt moves generally from the head pulley 14 towardthe tail pulley 16. A split bean supply bin or hopper shown in generalby numeral 18, includes an adjustable discharge door 20 for controllingfeeding of the beans from the hopper 18 onto the top stretch 15a of thebelt, with the feed arranged to provide a single layer of beans on thebelt. Three cleaning stations, 30a, 30b and 300, are mounted on theframe 10 with a cleaning wheel mounted above the top stretch of thebelt, described below in detail. Each wheel is arranged to roll over thebeans on the belt. The belt passes over the tail pulley l6 dischargingbeans through a chute 23 into the bag 22. The catch bag 22, obviously,is changed for an empty one as it is filled. The discharge chute 23provides an easy means for filling the bag 22 from the belt conveyor.

Each cleaning station, shown in detail in FIGS. 1 and 2, is similar tothe others to provide three stations in the form shown. It is, ofcourse, obvious that as many stations as may be desirable may be placedalong the stretch of a belt. Therefore, any number of cleaning stationsmay be used for cleaning the bean splits.

Each bean cleaning station includes a rotary drum 31 covered by arelatively thick layer of soft, resilient, foamed elasto-plasticmaterial 32, which is cemented or otherwise sealed to the outside of thedrum. As shown in FIGS. 1 and 2, the drum 31 is hollow with spokes 33providing means for holding a hub into which a shaft 35 is mounted. Theshaft in turn is journaled in a bearing set 36 (one on each end of theshaft), and a pulley wheel 37 is mounted on the shaft 35. The bearingset 36 is mounted on a generally horizontal, adjustable frame member 40which in turn depends from an upright mount 41. The mount 41 supportsthe drum above the top stretch 15a of the belt 15 (a frame member isprovided on each side). A tension shaft 43 is secured to the frame 10and a helical spring 44 attached to the frame member 40 provides meansfor applying downward pressure of the drum against the top stretch ofthe belt 15a. Tension is provided by moving a movable collar 45 attachedto the spring downwardly along the shaft 43 and securing it in positionby means of a set screw through the collar to the shaft 43. The spring44 is, therefore, in tension pulling the horizontal member 40 downwardlyand the attached drum onto the belt. Mounted on the frame member 40adjacent the drum is a brush element 50. The brush is mounted on a shaft51 journaled in a bearing block 52 mounted on the frame 40. Anadjustable idler 53 provides means for controlling tension on belt 15,to provide sufficient tension for driving the brush by a belt 55 fromthe drum 31. The brush 50 is mounted with its bristle tips brushing theoutside of the elasto-plastic material 32 on the drum 31, so that thebrush sweeps adhering matter from the elasto-plastic material. As weedpods are removed from the drum they are brushed into a chute 59. Thisexhausts to both sides of the belt conveyor for removal of weeds pickedup by the drum.

Preferably the brush 50 is a nylon bristle brush, rotated against theelasto-plastic material for removing extraneous material which adheresto the surface of the elastic material. The brush is adjustable so as tobe mounted at an optimum distance for brushing the drum.

In using the device of the invention, the hopper 18 is filled with beansplits and a thin layer, preferably a single layer, of bean splits ispassed onto the top stretch a of the belt conveyor. Beans 60, FIG. 1,illustrate the single layer of bean splits which are passed onto thesurface of the belt conveyor. In some instances it may be desirable touse vibrators on the belt for maintaining a single layer, and to, also,shuffle the beans around slightly to provide easy access of the flexiblematerial to the goathead weed pods. The drums are pressed tightly on tothe belt conveyor by adjusting the tension on both sides of each drum.Movement of the belt conveyor causes rotation of the drums in thedirection of travel, shown by the arrow in FIG. 2, and the belt drive55, likewise, turns the brush in the same direction. The pulley 37 onthe drum is larger than the pulley on the brush so that the brushrotates faster than the drum. This faster rotation brushes the surfaceof the drum into the discharge chute 59, and anything adhering to thedrum will be brushed into the discharge chute. As shown in FIG. 3, threestations, one following the other, on the belt conveyor, provide threestations for cleaning the bean splits. Each cleaning brush is providedwith a weed discharge chute.

In some cases it may be desirable to support the belt conveyor at eachcleaning station to permit application of desired drum pressure. Thismay be conventionally by plates, rollers, etc.

In one size, about a 2-foot wide belt is mounted on a frame with threedrums. Each drum is about 24 inches in diameter, and is mounted incleaning operation above the belt. The drums are covered with fromonehalf inch to 2 inches of soft, resilient, foamed, elastoplasticmaterial such as foamed polyethylene, polystyrene, polyurethanes, poly(vinyl chlorides), etc., and similar synthetic resins which are foamed.A foamed rubber, commonly called sponge rubber, may be used. The beltrotates relatively slowly to give the foamed material a good opportunityto pick up the goathead weed pods, and the slower rotation prevents theweed pods from being flipped off from the surface of the drum bycentrifugal force. By pressing the drums against the belt, the beltdrives the drum and the drum moves over the bean splits essentiallywithout moving the beans from their position on the belt. Essentially,

the beans are fairly static on the belt, and are static as they passunder the drum in the cleaning operation.

The soft, resilient material permits the drum to be pressed underreasonable tension, against the beans and any weed pods which may bewith the beans. In this manner, the beans are not injured or furtherspread while the weed pods with their horns are pressed into the foammaterial. The pods stick to the foam material until they are brushed offby the brush. In this manner, the beans are cleaned of the weed pods ofapproximately the same size and weight.

While the description has been directed particularly to goathead weedpods, it is obvious that the foamed material will pick up weed seeds andpods which are prickly or have thorns, etc. on them. Some other types ofdebris will also stick to some types of foamed material, and ittherefore cleans beyond the prickly weed seeds.

I claim:

1. A method of cleaning bean splits comprising,

forming a thin layer of such bean splits on a planar surface, pressing asoft, resilient, foamed material on said thin layer of bean splits, andremoving said material from said thin layer of bean splits to therebyremove prickly weed seeds.

2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said thin layer is essentiallya single layer deep.

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said thin layer of bean splitsis on a moving surface.

4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said foamed material isprogressively pressed along said thin layer of bean splits.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said foamed material is formedinto an endless band and said band is rolled over said thin layer ofbean splits.

6. A bean split cleaner comprising a planar surface; means for passing athin layer of bean splits along said surface;

at least one soft, resilient foamed material body mounted above saidsurface;

means for pressing said body onto said layer of bean splits; and

means for removing said body from said thin layer of bean splits.

7. A bean split cleaner according to claim 6 wherein said means forpassing said layer across said planar surface is an endless belt.

8. A bean split cleaner according to claim 7 wherein feeder means feedsessentially a single layer of bean splits on said belt conveyor.

9. A bean split cleaner according to claim 7 wherein said body is formedinto an endless belt for rolling on said layer of bean splits.

10. A bean cleaner according to claim 9 being further defined bycleaning means for cleaning adhering material from said endless belt.

1 l. A bean cleaner according to claim 9 wherein said endless belt is acylinder.

12. A bean cleaner according to claim 6 wherein two or more bodies arepressed onto said layer of bean splits.

1. A method of cleaning bean splits comprising, forming a thin layer of such bean splits on a planar surface, pressing a soft, resilient, foamed material on said thin layer of bean splits, and removing said material from said thin layer of bean splits to thereby remove prickly weed seeds.
 2. A method according to claim 1 wherein said thin layer is essentially a single layer deep.
 3. A method according to claim 1 wherein said thin layer of bean splits is on a moving surface.
 4. A method according to claim 3 wherein said foamed material is progressively pressed along said thin layer of bean splits.
 5. A method according to claim 4 wherein said foamed material is formed into an endless band and said band is rolled over said thin layer of bean splits.
 6. A bean split cleaner comprising a planar surface; means for passing a thin layer of bean splits along said surface; at least one soft, resilient foamed material body mounted above said surface; means for pressing said body onto said layer of bean splits; and means for removing said body from said thin layer of bean splits.
 7. A bean split cleaner according to claim 6 wherein said means for passing said layer across said planar surface is an endless belt.
 8. A bean split cleaner according to claim 7 wherein feeder means feeds essentially a single layer of bean splits on said belt conveyor.
 9. A bean split cleaner according to claim 7 wherein said body is formed into an endless belt for rolling on said layer of bean splits.
 10. A bean cleaner according to claim 9 being further defined by cleaning means for cleaning adhering material from said endless belt.
 11. A bean cleaner according to claim 9 wherein said endless belt is a cylinder.
 12. A bean cleaner according to claim 6 wherein two or more bodies are pressed onto said layer of bean splits. 